Colonel Jeffrey C. Mathews currently serves as Chief, Air National Guard Bands for the National Guard Bureau. In this capacity he is the chief policy maker and advisor to all Air National Guard bands. The Chief of ANG Bands determines the readiness of ANG bands through technical inspections and staff assistance visits; recommends actions for improving the ANG band program to Director of the ANG, SAF/PA and NGB; develops policy guidance for the ANG band program; coordinates band policy issues; establishes qualifications and procedures for hiring and training new band officers and enlisted members and conducts band officer auditions to fill vacancies He is the former commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast of the Texas Air National Guard.
Colonel Mathews was born on Clark Air Force Base, Republic of the Philippines and grew up in Bossier City, Louisiana. He has an undergraduate degree in Music Education from Northwestern State University and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. In 2006 he was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree by the University of Southern Mississippi.
Colonel Mathews has served in the National Guard for 33 years. He was the commander and conductor of the Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast from 1997 to 2011. He received his commission on July 2, 1998 from the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. Prior to joining the Texas Air National Guard he served ten years with the 156th Army Band of the Louisiana National Guard and two years with the 132nd Army Band of the Wisconsin National Guard. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa with members of the Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast.
Colonel Mathews is Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Northwestern State University of Louisiana where he teaches conducting and directs the Wind Symphony. His ensembles have been invited to perform at the Louisiana Music Educators Association Conference and the International Conference of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. He is a regular guest conductor with the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra in Manchester, England. He enjoys playing trombone in several rhythm and blues bands and big bands when not teaching or conducting. His professional memberships include Louisiana Music Educators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and the College Band Directors National Association